Residents of the Richmond Highway area had the opportunity to meet staff and learn about programs offered at the newly named Hybla Valley Community Center — previously known as the Community Center in Lee District — at a June 30 informational meeting.
Kicking off the event, Supervisor Rodney Lusk, representing the newly renamed Franconia District [formerly Lee District], welcomed attendees from neighborhoods surrounding the facility.
“This community, Hybla Valley, is going to be served by this center,” said Lusk. “So if you live in Creekside, if you live in Harmony, if you live in Colchester, if you live in Sequoyah, if you live in Audubon — this is your community center.”
County staff from Neighborhood and Community Services (NCS) want to ensure that the center meets the needs of local residents, said Lusk, inviting community members to participate in the Citizens’ Advisory Group, which will provide input and feedback on the facility’s services.
Lusk also provided an update on the center’s Workforce Innovation Skills Hub (WISH), scheduled to open toward the end of July. He said that WISH will start accepting applications for the program, which will provide training for jobs that pay a minimum of $41,000 per year.
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Following an icebreaker activity, NCS staff introduced the team running the community center, which offers both sports/fitness and educational programming for children, youth/teens, adults and seniors.
NCS’ Crystal Woodley, service manager for Franconia District, informed residents about a brand-new partnership with a local business. As part of the community center’s “Trek 2 Unity” Highway Bike Club, staff from the Trek Bicycle shop on Belle View Boulevard will instruct youth/teen club members on how to disassemble, build and repair bikes, culminating in an end of summer community bike ride and cookout. Trek also will provide part-time paid positions at the store for six to eight youth from the center.
The Hybla Valley Community Center differs from other NCS facilities, said Woodley, in that adults have access to center programming during the busy, school-free summer season. Additionally, NCS staff are committed to adding an educational component to the sports programs that community members have expressed desire for.
“Everything that we do here is tied to a greater purpose,” said Woodley. “It’s tied to the county-wide strategic plan; it’s tied to community wealth building. So everything that you do — you’ll learn entrepreneurship behind it.”
The Hybla Valley Community Center is located at 7950 Audubon Avenue in Alexandria.
